Press Release
VIS Reaffirms Sukuk Rating of Sitara Chemical Industries Limited
Karachi, June 16, 2026: VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has reaffirmed the medium to long-term rating of Sitara Chemical Industries Limited’s (‘SCIL’ or ‘the Company’) Sukuk at ‘AA-‘ (Double A Minus). The medium-to long-term rating of ‘AA-’ indicates high credit quality; Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions. Outlook on the assigned rating is ‘Stable’. Previous rating action was announced on April 24, 2025.
SCIL has issued a medium to long term, rated, secured, and privately placed Sukuk amounting to Rs. 2,300m to finance a new 50-megawatt CFPP. The instrument has a tenor of seven years, including an 18-month grace period and quarterly rental payments at the rate of 3M KIBOR+175 basis points (bps). The rentals shall be paid quarterly. The principal repayment shall commence from November 2026 onwards. The security structure, features an exclusive hypothecation charge over specified fixed assets, a ranking hypothecation charge over company’s receivables from Collected Customer via a Letter of Hypothecation (LoH), lien and right of set off over the finance payment account (FPA) and collection account (CA) is also part of the security. The assigned ratings of the Sukuk are underpinned by a strong security structure alongside the establishment of a FPA and CA, with a waterfall mechanism for repayment prioritization. Additionally, the call option further supports the assigned rating.
SCIL maintains a well-established position in the chemicals industry. The Company is led by experienced management team and maintains a sound corporate governance. The assigned ratings reflect strategic initiatives, including the initiation of a 50MW coal-fired power plant (CFPP) and ongoing plans to diversify the product mix. Revenue grew steadily in FY25 and held firm through 9MFY26 mainly on the back of higher average prices. Capitalization ratios and liquidity ratios were weakened due to the increase in borrowings for procuring raw material and machinery for the power plant. Nonetheless, debt coverage metrics improved, buoyed by stronger operational cash flows. To address the pressure on liquidity position, the Company is in advanced stages with commercial banks for reprofiling its debt mix, by converting short-term loans into long-term facilities.
For further information on this ratings announcement, please contact at 021-35311861-64 or email at info@vis.com.pk
Applicable Rating Criteria:
Industrial Corporates
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/CorporateMethodology.pdf
Instrument Rating
https://docs.vis.com.pk/Methodologies-2025/IRM-Apr-25.pdf
VIS Issue/Issuer Rating Scale
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/VISRatingScales.pdf